An authoritarian regime is one where a small group of individuals exercise the power over the state[1]. Within an authoritarian regime there is no commitment from the government to the private citizens[1].
Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.
– Jean-Jacques Rouseau (1762)
Juan Linz, a still heavily regarded political and social scientist[2], defined authoritarian regimes by four traits[3]:
- A limited and non-diverse group of people in power.
- Having “distinctive mentalities,” with no complex flagship ideology, allowing them to adapt as needed.
- A lack of political mobilization, or the say of what the citizens have in politics.
- The limits of power are ill-defined, but predictable, for those who can exercise it.
Authoritarian regimes and authoritarianism are distinctively different concepts. The latter is far broader and includes the aspects beyond political science, such as the individual and social traits which are limited by the masses or institutions (such as businesses or academia)[3].
Civil Society
Within authoritarian regimes civil society is often restricted. This is due to the access to freddoms required for it to thrive, such as freedom of expression, free fair frequent elections, and free congregation, are restricted or nonexistent.